Seniors Ready for Round 1

The 2017 PlayStation 4 National Premier League SA season commences this coming Thursday, with the West Torrens Birkalla season kicking-off on Saturday.

As the pre-season period comes to a close and the ‘real stuff’ is set to begin, Seniors coach Steve De Giovanniello notes that he is pleased with the work put in by his squad this off-season.

“It’s been good, but it’s been a bit staggered. We have had players injured or coming back from holidays and we have had probably 2 really late signings as well, so it hasn’t been perfect but the depth is good now.

“I am really pleased with the depth we have got as opposed to last year, I don’t think we had that depth.”

While all over the park, the work has been pleasing, there are some stand outs for De Giovanniello.

“I think JP (Cirillo) and Tom (Dittmar) have had an excellent pre-season. They have been there since day one and have been real leaders.

“They haven’t really missed a session, maybe 1 or 2, but they have been really, really sharp.

“The new guys as well, I think Jake Forrester has been fantastic, I think he has scored about 3 goals in pre-season and has been outstanding.

“Hayden Walter has played every game in the pre-season and has also been outstanding.”

In fact, it is the newly signed players that have exceeded his expectations.

“Some of the older players have been great but I have been really pleased with the new players as well.

“I wasn’t sure whether they’d be up at the standard and they have proved that they can play at this standard and level.”

Along with competing in a pre-season tournament, the team also took part in a number of trial matches and De Giovanniello feels his side will be solid against those they will face during the 2017 season.

“The teams we played against, aside from Adelaide City, I thought we looked superior to them, but you know, we haven’t played teams like Campbelltown, Croydon.. so against the teams we have played, I have been really happy.

“We have got MetroStars first round and I haven’t seen them, I am confident though.

“We have had a good preseason in terms of the amount of games and the length and the depth.

“I might not have 2 or 3 players ready to play Round 1 but I have got 2 or 3 players now that I have signed and have proved themselves in the pre-season that I know can step up.. and that makes competition for places as well, so it is good.”

Our Captains and Leadership Groups have also been announced ahead of the 2017 season.

Congratulations to those who have been chosen to lead our teams this season!